Links Etcetera

        You can tell a lot about a person from their Links page; I often check out Links before anything else.  For what it's worth, here's ours.  Model tackmakers' suppliers and model organizations are listed first; included are a couple of "grand central stations" of model horse links.  Next, in alphabetical order so there is less favoritism, hah! my current favorite model horse tackmakers and collectors.  Lastly are REAL tack and saddlers' sites, and also non-model-horse but still very useful suppliers and links: Full Scale Stuff.  All sites last visited January 13 2008 unless otherwise indicated.

      Two model tackmakers whom I greatly admire, and whose work is shown right here, do not (to my knowledge) have websites.  The saddle is by Margaret Teller of Kentucky (New Age Saddlery), photographed in 1999.  The fender is swung back both to show details of the cinch ring and to prove how far it can really swing --- something my own saddles didn't have for quite some time!  The hackamore is by Linda Spiesschaert of Oregon (Kitchen Table Stables), spring 2002.  {Photo used by permission}  I'm sorry to say that I am unclear concerning the order policies (if any) of these two tackmakers...!  Perhaps this is the time to say that the hunt is as much fun as the capture.  :)

Model Tack Suppliers and Organizations

Rio Rondo is the source for most model horse hardware and supplies, as well as a list of other tackmakers.

Lenham Pottery. Here at last is the website of Anne and Barry Funnell--- for something like 20 years the world's sole source of model harness hardware.  They also create doll parts, china horses, harness kits, and many other miniature items.  Their hames are the source of some of Sulser's.

Sulser Saddlery. The home of Elaine Sulser's excellent model horse tack hardware supplies.

Model Horse $ales Pages should drop you into more than a thousand links for every imaginable model horse pursuit.  This is the hobby's best alternative to eBay.

NAMHSA. North American Model Horse Shower's Association.

Model Tack Makers and Collectors

Amarna tack collection will lead you to Elizabeth Bouras of Amarna Productions' marvelous tribute to model tackmakers.

Desert Night Creations is the home of Heather M. Abounader who is one of my all-time favorite tackmakers! and good friend besides.  You'll find Arabian costume and Western halters and tack here; you'll also find theequineminiaturist.net which is her effort at sharing what she calls being "a reference junkie."

Equiworks. Darlene Stoddard is one of the few who makes very good Parade sets, as well as English, sidesaddle, harness, and Western.  As of 2003, this tackmaker is in the top ranks--- I highly recommend.

Horsing Around Ranch, or HAR. Patt & Karelin have a lot of fun in CA making charming Western tack and props.

Griswold Tack is the small website of Cari Godwin, known first for her SM scale English and now for some superb, up-close in-your-face photographed English tack.

Nohuanda first found in the fall 2006, is a sculptor in Mexico City who deals in one-sixth scale (Johnny West size) horses.  If you like authentic Quarter Horses and Mexican charro tack of the most amazing detail, you gotta check this one out!!  The sculptor is Luis M. Aguilar and the tackmaker is Jorge Duenas.  Note that 2 years later (Jan 2008) he is now on photobucket with an expanded array, has sculpted a new action horse, offers saddle trees, and seems to be doing well.

Mystic Acres Studio. Michelle McKenney is an old-time model tackmaker of standing.  She makes really excellent English and nice Western; I have collected them myself.  Note that as of January 2008 this site does not seem to have been updated.

PCF Custom Tack is the current site of Vicky Norris, tackmaker up-and-coming extraordinaire.  Don't let the silver hairs fool you: this lady can make tack!!  Western, Parade a specialty: she is after my own heart.

Real McCoy. Donya Langenberg, like Terry Newberry, owns cutting horses 'in the flesh'.  I have long admired her work.  Note that as of January 2008 this site does not seem to have been updated for several years.

Riverside Tack. Jennifer Kistler has set a gold standard for model English tack.

Shoe Box Saddlery. Corinne (Herb) Ensor is one of my personal favorites when it comes to English saddle makers, and she does stunning harness as well!

Toots Geyer Gallery. I just found this one (July 2005) but I like it a lot.  See what an old-time Appaloosa breeder can bring to the genre: interesting Western saddles and bits.

Toy Horse Tack.  In some ways I've saved the best for last.  Brooke Peery is the most talented young tackmaker to come along in many a season.  Check out her stunning Western and Parade sets, and her modelling of Sergeant's steel-and-silver motifs.  Outstanding!

Full Scale Stuff

Pitman Saddle Museum appears to be George Pitman's page, a dealer and collector of classic Silver Parade Saddles.  While my computer had trouble with some of his code, the pictures and references are wonderful.

Broken Heart Trading Company is the name of an unbelievable braider in Ohio, Ray Huffman, and this link will take you to the inspiration for my Campbell bridle.  This is the REAL THING.

Gail Hought is one of the most respected and sought-after rawhide braiders in the country.  She is also an author, teacher, horse owner and source of very collectible horse gear!  This site will have you gasping (it did me) at the artistry and audacity of her collectible work.  Hought, Broken Heart and Skyhorse are the real thing; us model tackmakers merely crouch in their shadow, worshipping...

Skyhorse Saddlery creates some of the most beautiful real Western saddles I have ever seen... an endless inspiration.  This couple, Lisa and Loren Skyhorse, based in Durango, CO, have been around more than 20 years and developed a true artistic style and devoted clientele.

Blackhorseleather is the name of a recent find (thank you Liz!).  These Friesian breeders make stunning tack and bridles using glass beads and silver.  You won't believe your eyes!

Horse Hair Design is a lady artist who makes the most incredibly beautiful hitched horsehair bridles and other horsehair work... thank you Regine for finding this one!  The site is bilingual German and English.

Peruvian Paso lists has got every possible breeder, owner, trainer, importer, author & etc. you could imagine, and then some.

J. Hewit is the name of a bookbinding company based in Scotland.  No, I haven't bought leather from them yet... but I'm impressed by this site.

Surgical 911 is a source of stainless steel wire.

Fire Mountain Gems. I believe these people have gold filled wire for sale, as well as nifty silver findings.